Suffolk FA - developing football for everyone
Governance - safeguarding the game

Dealing with Discipline Paperwork

A few tips on how to deal with Football Discipline charges & papers.

Who's Responsible?

  • Initially it is the club's responsibility to pay the fine and complete the Misconduct Form, giving full details of the player.
  • Players over 16 years of age must then reimburse the club. Any other clubs he plays for should also be included on the form. It should be signed by both the player and club secretary.

Club Statement

  • A club secretary will receive a club statement if his/her club has any discipline actions being processed against them, outstanding cases to deal with and/or any upcoming suspensions
  • Club statements are sent out on a weekly basis during the football season
  • Clubs can check their outstanding cases 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the Members Services section of the website

Cautions

  • No right of appeal except in the case of mistaken identity
  • An admin fee of £8.00 is charged
  • Must be paid within 14 days of the date of notification

Standard (Red card offences) & Misconduct Charges

  • For Standard Charges, a standard punishment is offered to the offender
  • A Misconduct Charge can be issued to any participant in football (including players, club officials, clubs etc) 
  • Any punishments for Misconduct Charges are set at a hearing
  • Any cases or alleged cases of mistaken identity must be made to the County FA in writing within 14 days of the match date by the club & player. The matter will then be investigated.
  • The participant has 3 choices when responding to a send off or misconduct charge, they are:
  • Option A accept the report and charge, pay the fine & serve the suspension
  • Option B accept the report, but make a written plea for a lenient punishment
  • Option C not accept the report and request a Personal Hearing

Personal Hearings

  • Any player or club who has been charged has the right to request a personal hearing if they disagree with the referees report and/or punishment issued
  • Hearing fee is £25.00 (refundable if case is not proved)
  • All participants receive a “Guide to Personal Hearings”

Player Debts

  • Click here to find out how you can recover debts owed by players / former players (only debts less than 56 days old)